All abilities and inclusive programs

All abilities and inclusive programs

Football West’s official charity partner Football Futures Foundation delivers fun, safe and inclusive programs suitable for all abilities. Our programs are designed in consultation with the WA Football Disability and Inclusion Advisory Committee, and provide a safe space for players, families, carers, support workers and the community to connect through participation. 
 
Contact
Mick Owens – Inclusion Programs Lead 
0415 678 669 or micko@footballfutures.org.au  

Explore our programs

  • I-League

  • Equal Footingball

  • WA Paras (cerebral palsy)

  • WAID (intellectual disability)

  • Blind Football

  • Walking Football

  • Powerchair Football

  • Special Olympics Western Australia 

    Inclusion

i-League

Suitable for: 7–13 year olds
 
The i-League program is free and designed for children with disability, developmental delays and other barriers that may hinder them from accessing mainstream football. i-League is a truly inclusive program and siblings are welcome to join. 

The i-League program is currently delivered at:

Equal Footingball

Suitable for: 12-18+ year olds 

The Equal Footingball program is free and designed specifically for people with disability. This program provides participants with regular training and a fortnightly competition within a club setting. This program offers four divisions to accommodate various abilities. 

EQUAL FOOTINGBALL 2024 FIXTURES

  • Division 4 – Entry 
    For players with limited football experience and/or ability who require support on the pitch. Parent/carer participation is encouraged at this level. 

  • Division 3 – Participation 
    For players who have learned the basics and are developing skills, game awareness and the ability to participate in basic match play with some level of support. 

  • Division 2 – Pathway 
    For players who have developed skills and game awareness, but also enjoy the social aspects of the game. This division is more competitive with most players working on potentially moving to Division 1. 

  • Division 1 – Performance 
    For players who are highly skilled, seek competition and aim to compete in State and National pathways. 

Equal Footingball is currently delivered at: 

WA Paras

WA Para Football

Suitable for: 12-18+ year olds with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, symptoms resulting from stroke and other neurological conditions

Para Football is a modified version of the game that is specific to athletes with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury and symptoms resulting from stroke. The sport is governed by the International Federation of CP Football (IFCPF). In Western Australia, WA Paras is a free program that provides grassroots playing and training options for para football players.

Training sessions are generally mixed age, allowing younger players to learn from the more experienced players while also providing the experienced players with the opportunity to mentor and be a positive role model for the younger ones. Separate training opportunities are provided for players who are looking to play at state and national levels. 

Players who are interested in playing at an elite level will be provided with the support and opportunities to trial for the WA State team and the Pararoos/Paramatildas. 

WA Para Football is currently delivered at: 

  • Gibbney Reserve, Maylands 
    Fortnightly on Saturday mornings during the football season.
    Contact: Mick Owens 0415 678 669 or micko@footballfutures.org.au 

    WAID

WAID

Suitable for: Experienced players with intellectual disability (16+ years - players under 16 years old will be considered individually for participation in a development program) 

WAID is a program for highly skilled players with intellectual disabilities to train in preparation to represent WA at a state level. Players need to provide evidence of an intellectual disability in accordance with Sport Inclusion Australia and must be training at a performance/elite level equivalent to Division 1 in Equal Footingball. 

WAID is currently delivered at:

Blind football

Blind Football

Suitable for: 12-18+ year olds who are vision impaired or blind

Blind Football is a free program delivered in partnership with Blind Sports WA. This program develops and supports grassroots participation opportunities for people with all levels of vision loss to play football. This program also provide social games as well as training for blind football and partially sighted futsal who are interested in playing socially or competing in state and national teams. 

Blind Football is currently delivered at: 

  • Perth Soccer Club, 3 Lawley Street, West Perth 
    Sunday mornings during the soccer season 

Contact: Perth Soccer Club at secretary@perthsc.com.au  

Walking football

Walking Football

Suitable for: 50+ year olds 

Walking Football is a free program delivered through Football West. This program offers a range of health benefits, from being actively involved in a sport providing exercise and increased fitness, to offering social opportunities as players become part of a team. Walking football provides a low-impact and modified version of the game to suit all levels of ability and fitness, and is great for people who are returning to sport after a break or injury, or those who have never played before. 

Walking Football is currently delivered at: 

  • TBC

    powerchair football

Powerchair Football

Suitable for: 12-18+ year olds with physical disabilities requiring power wheelchair use or who are unable to play sport in a manual wheelchair. Players need to be able to independently and safely drive a power wheelchair at high speed (up to 10km/h)

Powerchair Football is a free program delivered in partnership with the Western Electric Sporting Association (WESA). This program is a modified version of football played indoor and uses specialised power chairs called Strikeforces, which are specifically designed for sport. This program provides social games and training opportunities for players who are interested in playing socially or competing in state, national and international teams. 

Powerchair Football is currently delivered at: 

  • Rocky Bay Mosman Park, 60 McCabe Street, Mosman Park
    Friday evenings or Sunday afternoons during the soccer season 

Contact WESA at enquiries@wesa.org.au  

Special Olympics WA

Special Olympics Western Australia 

Suitable for: 12-18+ year olds with intellectual disability 

Special Olympics WA is a community where individuals can meet people of similar ability, develop skills and play sports at their own pace. This program provides regular opportunities for social games and training for players who are interested in competing in the annual State Games, National Games or World Games. 

Contact Special Olympics WA at info.wa@specialolympics.com.au

Football Futures Foundation

About Football Futures Foundation

Football Futures Foundation leverages the universal appeal of football to strengthen communities and drive social impact. We are one of only two Australian members of the Common Goal global network. We work with community partners to provide inclusive football programs for people with disability and those who may face barriers to participation in mainstream football across Perth and WA. 

Resources and Related Information:

Inclusive Participation Policy

Football Futures Foundation

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